6 Diverse Books for Earthbenders

Is your endless TBR crushing you like a giant boulder? Are you weighed down by that mountain of book reviews you still need to write? Because #same. The only remedy for this dilemma is obvious: avoid the issue altogether (in true Dai Li fashion) and instead feverishly add more books to your “to-read” Goodreads shelf. Because you’re in the bookish community now. Everyone is safe here. (Is this another shamelessly altered Avatar quote? Why yes, yes it is.)

And to help you dig yourself into an even deeper literature-induced hole, I’m back with another Avatar: The Last Airbender book recommendation post – EARTHBENDING STYLE!!!

Six Must-Read Book for Earthbenders

The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee

There is no better way to start off this books for earthbenders recommendation list than with The Rise of Kyoshi. Set in the Avatar: The Last Airbender universe, it follows a teenage Avatar Kyoshi (of Kyoshi Warrior fame) as she journeys from a naive young girl to a merciless pursuer of justice. And if you aren’t interested in learning more about this lady boss who got so fed up with all the haters that she literally MADE her own private island, then be gone from this place.

Jade City by Fonda Lee

That title! That cover! That synopsis! They’re all giving me such Ba Sing Se/Dai Li vibes – I can’t even right now. Like seriously, I feel like you could find Jade City on one of those Earthbender aesthetic Pinterest boards or something. Also, this gripping Godfather-esque saga is all about “a rare magical jade that grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities” and all I can say is UUMMMM YES, PLEASE!!!

Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri

Deep in the Si Wong Desert live the Sandbender Tribes, a nomadic group of earthbenders who bend loose sand instead of solid earth. And if we’re talking about sand (as one does), then there’s no way in the four nations that I won’t mention Empire of Sand, a favorite recent read of mine. So here’s your friendly daily reminder: READ EMPIRE OF SAND!

📖 RELATED POST: Here’s all the reasons you absolutely need to read Empire of Sand right now

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

The very first human earthbenders were a couple of star-crossed lovers named Oma and Shu who fell in love despite being from warring villages. If that doesn’t sound like a Romeo and Juliet retelling, then my name isn’t Kat and I don’t love waffles. Since These Violent Delights is also a Romeo and Juliet retelling, I think it’s obvious why it’s on this list.

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee

Uncle Iroh once described Earthbending as such: “Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring,” and honestly, it’s like he was specifically talking about Genie Lo here. Genie is strong, persistent, and extremely stubborn. She’s “powerful enough to break through the gates of Heaven with her fists” and it’s a known fact that she and Toph would be total bros.

Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine

Any list of must-read books for earthbenders would be incomplete without a nod to metalbending, a technique originally thought to be impossible (though don’t tell Toph that). Of Metal and Wishes is the Phantom of the Opera steampunk retelling that you didn’t know you needed, and it totally jibes with the industrial film noir setting of The Legend of Korra.

Honorable Mentions:

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Have you read any of these books?

Have you seen Avatar: The Last Airbender?

What are some books for Earthbenders you would recommend?